French Relations With China 'Set Right,' Sarkozy Says

President talks human rights with leaders hosting Beijing visit
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 8, 2008 2:47 PM CDT
French Relations With China 'Set Right,' Sarkozy Says
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, is greeted by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in the Zhongnanhai leaders compound in Beijing today.   (AP Photo)

Nicolas Sarkozy says the relationship between France and China had been “set right again” in talks today with the Chinese leadership, AFP reports. "I had a lunch and a meeting with the Chinese president and a meeting with the prime minister. I talked about human rights, I handed over lists" of jailed political prisoners, Sarkozy said.

Sarkozy has been highly critical of the Chinese government, and human-rights groups blasted his sudden warming. But Sarkozy justified his actions as pushing the process forward: "How can you find a solution if you don't talk to each other? How can you understand one another if you don't talk?" (More Nicolas Sarkozy stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X